TRENTON — Third-place finisher Walker Worthy secured more than $115,000 in campaign donations and received many endorsements from county and state officials.

But when voters went to the polls on Tuesday, Mercer County’s deputy clerk fell 600 votes short of qualifying for the June 10 mayoral runoff race.

“I think that there was a disconnect between my message and the voters,” Worthy explained Wednesday. “I think Trentonians didn’t want change, they wanted more of the same. I think my message of good government didn’t resonate with the people of Trenton.”

The 1,546 people who voted for Worthy, however, could have in an impact in the election between candidates Eric Jackson and Paul Perez.

Advertisement

During his campaign, Worthy went on the attack against Jackson, calling out his shaky financial past, which included foreclosures, state tax liens and a bankruptcy.

When asked if he would endorse Jackson — the top vote getter — Worthy admitted “there’d be egg on (his) face.”

“I’d be a hypocrite, wouldn’t I?” he said. “I would, I really would.”

But when questioned if he was leaning to endorse Perez, Worthy responded, “Not necessarily because I was critical on him too.”

“He didn’t have the record of corruption that Mr. Jackson had, but I was still critical on him for the fact that in my opinion that he wasn’t a shareholder in the community,” Worthy said. “He wasn’t here long, he was only a registered voter since February 2013. To me, he hadn’t invested in the city.”

Worthy added not only does Perez not own property and pay property taxes, but he also didn’t help the city elect leaders.

Seeking to become the city’s first Latino mayor, Perez moved back to Trenton a year and a half ago after spending an extensive amount of time serving in the military.

“He only participated in maybe one or two elections since he has been here,” Worthy said.

Worthy’s platform was to change the climate of corruption in Trenton, and Perez seeks to bring responsible government to the city.

The deputy clerk admits his message is geared more toward Perez’s campaign than Jackson’s.

“I was the person that said Trenton doesn’t need more of the same,” Worthy said. “Perez is not more of the same.”

Worthy said he’s been getting calls from supporters “all day” asking who they should back for mayor.

But Worthy said he is still undecided who he will endorse.

“Citizen Worthy, who knows, will probably vote for Perez over Jackson. I will probably do that,” Worthy said. “But will I line my people up and say support Perez or will I tell them to do what you feel is right in your heart?”

“I think Perez is a really wonderful person, but I am still undecided,” he added.

Worthy said he left a congratulatory message on Perez’s machine, but has not gotten a chance to speak with Jackson because he doesn’t have his phone number.

Despite his loss, Worthy has no plans of turning his back on the city.

“The good news is that I’m not giving up on Trenton,” he said. “I know for a fact with what I’ve seen over the last year, Trenton needs more than just one person to bring it back. Whether I’m in the City Hall or not, I’m going to commit to service in the community.”

Worthy plans to unveil some initiatives that he will propose as a citizen.

“I wish both candidates luck in trying to steer this community in the right direction, but I really think that the only way that we can make change is to roll up our sleeves and commit to our children and seniors,” he said. “I wish them luck and I trust that the next mayor is not going to be corrupt and that he is going to lead the city for a brighter day, but I’m not going to sit back and wait.”

Like Worthy, another official is deciding if he will back a candidate for the runoff.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) didn’t have a horse in the race in Tuesday’s election, but he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making his presence felt in the runoff.

“I’m open to endorsing a candidate if it would be beneficial, but I’m not a big believer in endorsements,” the longtime 15th district assemblyman said Wednesday.

Gusciora believes Trenton’s electorate will be well served with either Jackson or Perez.

“I think they’re both qualified,” he said. “I think it’s going to be an exciting runoff.”

About the Author

Originally from Webster, N.Y., David has been a reporter in N.J. for the past three years (first in Phillipsburg and now in Trenton).He is a Temple alum who interned at the Philadelphia Daily News. Reach the author at dfoster@trentonian.com
.